No reason for Martin to lead Haumaha inquiry

Internal
Affairs Minister Tracey Martin’s suggestion that she is
automatically responsible for appointing a Chair for the
inquiry into the process that led to Wally Haumaha’s
appointment as Deputy Police Commissioner is false and she
must step aside, National’s Police spokesperson Chris
Bishop says.

“Ms Martin’s refusal to step down as
head of the Haumaha inquiry on the basis that she is the
Internal Affairs Minister and therefore responsible
doesn’t stack up with the fact that not one other Internal
Affairs Minister has led any other inquiry under the
Inquiries Act 2013.

“There is no law that states the
Internal Affairs Minister must be the appointing Minister
for every Government inquiry. Appointing Ministers for
Government inquiries are assigned by Cabinet and can be any
Minister.

“A quick scan of recent inquiries reveals
the Attorney-General was put in charge of the Havelock North
drinking water inquiry, while under this Government the
Health Minister was given responsibility for the mental
health inquiry.

“There’s no reason why
Attorney-General David Parker couldn’t be put in charge of
the Haumaha inquiry.

“Not only has Ms Martin proved
she is not equipped to handle an inquiry of such importance
as the Haumaha inquiry, after bungling the appointment of Dr
Pauline Kingi as Chair, but Mr Haumaha has close ties to NZ
First of which Ms Martin is also a senior member.

“The public won’t be able to trust that the inquiry
is truly independent if Ms Martin continues to be involved.
She must step aside or Cabinet must make the decision to
replace
her.”

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